CHAPTER 122

"Something seems to have changed in the past few days, brother."

It was Audin, a master of the devilish art of words hidden behind a humble smile.

He would often tell him to stop training or that he could rest, but if they did, he would come down on him hard.

No, he probably wouldn't even treat a rat that way.

Of course, Encrid found this quite satisfying.

What path did his greed extend towards?

It was in learning and progressing forward.

So, such teachings were always welcome.

Beside the large figure of Audin, who moved through the morning mist, Encrid was slowly standing up and sitting down with his legs shoulder-width apart, putting strain on his thigh muscles.

Audin suddenly reached out to Encrid.

Encrid instinctively blocked the hand. Smack, smack, it was a technique from wrestling or martial arts, known as Valaf-Style Martial Arts.

A hand that had been blocked once moved to twist and target Encrid's body.

As Audin tried to grab his shoulder, Encrid blocked, twisted, and blocked with his shoulder, then a foot came in.

When he blocked that, a large palm suddenly obscured his view, pushing down on him as if to crush him.

Stuck close like that, Audin spoke.

"You've improved a lot."

It was something he had heard even back at the rear base.

Thanks to learning Ail Caraz Style martial arts from Finn, his techniques had improved, but he still couldn't match Audin.

From the beginning, they had different heights, bone structures, and muscle densities.

Audin was far stronger than Encrid, and despite his large size, he had excellent agility.

At some point, Audin's hand came in from an unseen angle and grabbed Encrid by the nape.

With Audin pulling him in with strength, there was no way to resist.

They say even one's body can be a weapon in close combat, in the space between wrestling and martial arts.

Audin often said, "Don't engage if your build is different."

Encrid had once asked how to overcome a difference in build.

"With different techniques. So, what must you do?"

What else? Train hard.

It was something he heard repeatedly after being twisted and hit on the training mat.

Audin, who had already subdued Encrid, began to sing something resembling a hymn in a deep voice.

"The Lord said, 'Snap the joints.'"

No, God probably wouldn't say that.

Of course, it was a joke. Audin didn't apply any more pressure, even though he was already holding down Encrid's nape and shoulder.

It was still plenty painful just being like this.

'I grabbed it by feel.'

His reaction had been slow. There were many reasons for that.

Among them, injuries were likely a factor.

Pain tends to slow down reactions.

"You'll have to fight again if you go into battle, won't you, brother Platoon Leader?"

As if that needed saying.

It was obvious. Although his right wrist was a bit bothersome, it wasn't entirely unusable.

Moreover, the reason he was called here was because of them.

Of course, if a battle broke out, he would go to the front lines and fight again.

"With a body like this, it's too much, brother."

As Audin held him down, he spoke.

Encrid's right shoulder had been slashed, his left forearm stabbed. His right wrist was still in a splint, and bruises covered his body.

He had long since run out of Jaxon's ointment and had only been able to apply some herbal poultices. Given how often he got injured, it was no surprise the ointment ran out quickly.

There wasn't much of it, to begin with.

"How long do you plan to keep doing this?"

What was he trying to do?

After subduing someone, they usually reviewed the sparring session.

It was time to release him and enter that phase.

But Audin's grip remained firm.

"Platoon Leader, brother."

He called to him in that state. Encrid, still half-bent over, answered reluctantly.

"Why?"

The morning mist was so thick that the surroundings were not clearly visible.

The mist was so dense that they could only see each other's faces when they were a few steps apart.

There was a sentry nearby, but he had lost interest in what was happening after a quick glance.

Realizing the situation, Audin made up his mind and acted.

There was a faint sound.

Encrid heard a sound he had never heard before in his life.

It wasn't so much a sound in his ears as something that seemed to pierce directly into his body.

A warmth spread through him, something you wouldn't expect to feel by the misty riverbank at this hour before the morning sun rose, a warmth even rarer at this time of day.

It felt like the warmth of the afternoon sun, the kind you'd feel sitting leisurely and reading a book, or perfect for a nap.

How could he describe it?

Peace?

Something had seeped into his entire body.

A moment passed, filled with peace, warmth, comfort, and a gentle tingling sensation radiating from his injuries.

It wasn't a long time.

Finally, Audin's strong hand released Encrid's neck.

Encrid looked up at Audin.

He had once been called a religious squad member.

He seemed as devout as any priest.

And sometimes, priests showed miracles or wonders.

People called these miracles divine power.

"This..."

"No, brother. You will not say anything. And you will not tell anyone. I swear to the Lord, you will do as I say."

Encrid looked into Audin's eyes. A faint yellow hue shone in his blurred pupils.

It seemed to Encrid that light, a kind of radiance, was present there.

"Swear it."

"Alright."

Audin said no more and turned away.

"The mist by the river is also the Lord's blessing."

Audin knelt down to begin his morning prayer.

Seriously.

Encrid scratched his head a few times.

'What is he thinking?'

Sometimes, he wondered why his squad members went to such lengths for him.

Did he look pitiful just by sight?

Did watching him struggle make them feel sympathetic?

He didn't know. His curiosity faded quickly.

What did it matter?

No one knew that Audin Plumray could wield divine power. Using divine power might be tied to some religious rules or dogma.

What was certain, based on his feeling, was that Audin had taken a risk.

"Lord, forgive me."

Seeing the beginning of his prayer like that, it seemed correct.

'He didn't have to go this far.'

Still, it wasn't like he could return what he received.

Encrid removed the bandage from his wrist.

He flexed his right wrist a few times.

From his experience of being injured and recovering several times,his wrist would be usable without issue.

'In a day or two.'

The other wounds hidden under the bandage seemed to have healed significantly as well.

The lingering pain had significantly subsided.

"Thank you."

He spoke to the large praying platoon member, but Audin, immersed in prayer, did not respond.

'Lord.'

Amidst the smell of wet earth, the scent of death that often pervades the battlefield mingled.

For Audin, it was hard to just stand by and watch his Platoon leader.

'Lord, you are always present.'

He asked his silent Lord,

Was what he had done the right thing?

If it was discovered that he had used divine power, an Inquisitor would come.

He had left the order with many restrictions.

Even if it wasn't a vow, he had placed restrictions on his body at the level of a solemn pledge.

Enduring these restrictions to wield some divine power, he felt a piercing pain in his head, as if someone were driving a spike into it.

Still,

'I couldn't just stand by and watch, Lord.'

The one who burns himself with the fire of effort was being rewarded.

He couldn't let that flame be extinguished here.

It could be called capriciousness, but Audin simply wanted to do it, so he did.

Meeting Encrid, he believed the Lord's words were within him.

'So, I will follow my heart.'

Audin finished his prayer.

The morning sunlight began to break through, dispersing the mist.

Even though he used divine power to heal his body, not all wounds were healed at once.

Doing so would alert the more sensitive individuals to the divine power used, and the restrictions made it difficult to use more.

Still, the Platoon Leader seemed much better than before.

"Well."

Encrid, exhaling and moving, seemed much lighter.

God and man, blessings and curses.

The issue remained unresolved, but at least watching his Platoon Leader brought peace to his mind.

Though he frowned due to enduring pain, Audin thought he would not regret today's actions.

It was a feeling, an intuition, and a certainty.

* * *

After finishing the morning training, it was time to reapply his bandages.

"Big Eyes."

He called out to Krais.

The entrance flap of the tent fluttered open.

"Is it here?"

A small figure with green eyes.

A superior officer with abilities that did not match his small stature.

In other words, a person who played a part in creating the current madmen platoon.

A Fairy who had formed an independent platoon and brought them to the battlefield without Encrid.

"I heard you were injured?"

"Yes."

As soon as she entered, she spoke directly to Encrid and threw something.

Encrid caught it in midair.

It was a round wooden container.

A flat wooden container similar in size to the ointment received from Jaxon, with a leaf-shaped engraving on the lid, suggesting it was made by someone with considerable skill.

"Company Commander?"

"Apply it. Fairy medicine is priceless, even worth gold. It's an engagement gift."

Encrid still couldn't get used to the Fairy's jokes.

It was an unexpected moment, so he wore a puzzled expression.

To come in suddenly, throw something, and call it an engagement gift.

"That expression is great. I like it."

The Company Commander left after saying that.

Did she really come just to give ointment?

"I'm genuinely curious, Platoon Leader. What's your secret?"

Krais asked, having watched from the side.

Encrid, equally puzzled, responded.

"I'm wondering about that myself."

'Why did she suddenly come by and throw ointment at me?'

As the Company Commander mentioned, Fairies are excellent at handling such medicines. During the assassination incident at the infirmary, it seemed like the Company Commander also had a deep knowledge of pharmacology, judging by how she identified the poison.

"It looks like it'll be better than mine. At times like this, magic is quite useful." Jaxon said from behind, casually cleaning and maintaining his equipment without even turning his head. Though he seemed indifferent, he was actually paying close attention to everything around him.

That's why he was most attuned to the battlefield situation and the atmosphere.

"That's not the reason." Encrid shook his head. The very fact that he joked about it indicated that wasn't the reason.

Rem started chuckling beside him.

"Just have three kids."

Crazy guy.

"Platoon Leader, how about you leave the army and open a salon with me?" Krais chimed in, taking it a step further. He joked about how such talents were rare and how it would be better to cultivate his innate magical talents rather than his newly blossomed sword skills.

Even though they had nothing better to do, Encrid had no desire to spend his days indulging the whims of noblewomen, so he spoke up, telling them to shut up and help him unwrap the bandages.

Ragna, who had been watching the situation closely, spoke up.

"So, can we spar?"

Lately, it seemed like Ragna was more eager than Encrid.

"You lazy idiot, you think just putting on some ointment will heal his wounds?" Rem chided.

"Hmm."

Ragna didn't respond, just looked disappointed.

Yeah, it probably wouldn't heal with just some ointment.

The ointment wasn't the issue, he had just undergone a miracle that even high-ranking nobles rarely saw.

Krais unwrapped the bandages, and Encrid turned his shoulder to hide the wounds as he applied the ointment himself.

"I'll apply it for you." Krais offered, but Encrid shook his head.

"No need."

"Tch, are you saying it's a gift from a lover?"

Thud.

Encrid, sitting on the bed, extended one leg to kick Krais in the thigh and then carefully spread the ointment on his shoulder.

He repeated the process on his left forearm, feeling a cool sensation spread from the wounded area.

'It must be good medicine.'

The cooling effect was stronger than the ointment Jaxon had given him.

Encrid rewrapped the bandage.

Now, he felt he could move fairly well.

Feeling better, he wondered if he should swing his sword a few times.

There didn't seem to be any immediate combat on the horizon.

They were just staring each other down in a standoff. If things went south, a fight could break out at any moment.

"Anyway, you bore a lot, if you're going to fight, do it until your heads get cracked open."

Rem had complained that there hadn't been any large-scale battles lately, leaving him frustrated.

Should he swing his sword?

Or perhaps he should still rest, he was debating this when he heard a long horn blast from outside.

In Naurillia, it was traditional to blow a horn trumpet in the field to alert soldiers, as opposed to a whistle for ambushes.

"Enemy forces are coming! All troops assemble! Assemble by unit!" 

The sound of a messenger shouting echoed from outside the tent.

"They're back, those crazy bastards."

Rem pouted and muttered under his breath.

"Did you know? Those guys are really something else, Squad Leader of Enchantment."

"Drop the last nickname, will you?"

What was going on?

As he hurriedly started putting on his equipment,

"Even if a fight breaks out, don't jump in. Take care of your body first."

Rem added.

"I think it's best to focus on recovery until you're ready for sparring again." Ragna agreed.

Audin just smiled. It was remarkable to see someone of his size smile in a way that evoked the word 'compassion'.

"Were you thinking of fighting? You must be crazy, going out in that condition."

Jaxon scolded him outright.

Was he being treated like a child left by the river?

The platoon members wouldn't actually treat him like that.

They just didn't want to see him get hurt again.

Don't think about getting injured in front of their eyes.

That's what it sounded like to him.

Whether it was Audin, who had used divine power, or the others, they all had the same concern.

These were his platoon members.

Looking at it this way, the Battalion Commander's choice to place him here seemed wise.

After all, they were operating under his command.

'I'm not sure if this counts as control, though.'

Encrid still didn't feel confident about handling his platoon members as he wished. Nor did he have any intention of doing so.

"Assembly, sir!"

It was Andrew's voice from outside the tent. He was on guard duty along with Mac and Enri.

They were intentionally scheduled together on duty as a form of consideration from the soldier who managed the rotations, likely due to Rem's relentless teasing. One could only wonder how much teasing it took for such an arrangement to be made.

"Let's go." Encrid said as he stood up.

Although his shoulder had been cut, his leather armor was still sturdy. Over it, he wore a gambeson and had swords strapped to both sides of his waist.

Hmm, he felt a bit more secure.

It was time to see what the enemy was up to.

He wondered what the enemy would do this time.

Were they going to incessantly challenge them to duels again?

Apparently, their opponents kept asking for one-on-one combat with their warriors.

"I'm tired of those fights. I wanted to swing my axe hard for my Platoon Leader, but there hasn't been any real battle, has there?" 

Rem had complained, even though he had avoided the duels the previous night.

As they arrived at the battlefield,

"Hey, you underdeveloped brats!" 

An enemy soldier's voice rang out.

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